Beater device for facilitating the filling of sacks



April 7, 1970 B. GMUR 3,504,713

BEATER DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE] FILLING OF SACKS Filed Feb. 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BRUNO GMUR B. GMUR April 1, 1970 BEATER DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE FILLING OF SACKS Filed Feb. 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 w HHHHI I IHHH I IHHHI WP HH INVENTOR BRUNO GMUR I I b wl-W' 41ml firm B. GMUR April 7, 1970 BEATER DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE FILLING OF SACKS Filed Feb. 11. 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BRUNO GNUR April 7, B. GMUR BEATER DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE FILLING OF SACKS Filed Feb. 11, 1966 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BRUNO GMUR WMMW United States Patent O 3,504,713 BEATER DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE FILLING OF SACKS Bruno Gmiir, St. Gall, Switzerland, assignor to Gebruder Buhler, Uzwil, Switzerland Filed Feb. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 526,744 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Feb. 19, 1965, 2,248/65; July 2, 1965, 9,306/65 Int. Cl. B65b 1/20; B01f 13/08 U.S. Cl. 14177 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A beater device for use during or after the filling of sacks which are supported at their tops from a filling device in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly, comprises a beater plate which is supported in an oblique position on resilient bearings. The plate carnes at 1ts rearwardly extending end two spaced support plates wh ch engage around a shaft piece, the support plates being spaced apart and positioned on the shaft piece byspacer sleeves and by a central rubber bearing or bushing located between the plates. The rubber bushing is carried at the end of a rod which is operated by a crank or eccentric to impart a to and fro beating movement to the shaft piece and to the support plate and heater plate carried thereby. The shaft piece is held for swinging back and forth movement above a resiliently supported foundation on a pivot link which is connected to each end of the shaft piece through resilient bushings or bearings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to sack or bag filling devices, and in particular to a new and useful device for beating a sack as it is being filled, or after it has been filled with bulk materials.

The present invention is particularly applicable for the beating during or after filling of sacks or bags which are to be filled with heavy bulk material and which, for example, will weight more than kg. after filling.

The present invention is an improvement over prior art devices of this nature, particularly in respect to the resilient mounting for the beater plate and beater mechanism. Prior to the present invention there have been devices such as an impact device in which the rotational axis of the beating axis is arranged above the center of gravity of the sack which has the disadvantage that it is effective only over the lower portion of the sack. Other devices are known which engage the upper portion of the sack but have the disadvantage that they subject the sack material to impermissible high stresses at the mounting area of the sack body. In addition, such devices usually require that the pusher member or bearting element must be arranged so that it may glide along the sack and therefore must be constructed with roller glide members. Such devices are expensive and are subject to rapid wear.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sack beating device which includes a beating plate which is adapted to be arranged obliquely to the sack in order to beat it uniformly over its entire length and without the disadvantages of the prior art construction. The

3,504,713 Patented Apr. 7, 1970 impact plate is adapted to be moved by a mechanism to beat the sack laterally and the plate is obliquely arranged relative to the sack suspension so that it effects the movement outwardly of the sack from its center of gravity position during the beating operation. The angle of inclination of the beating plate is such that it is possible to obtain a uniform beating of the entire length of the sack within the permissible deformation limits of the sack material and in a manner so that the sack will not return more rapidly to its original position after being urged away from the center of gravity.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the beating plate is mounted in a resilient manner relative to its guiding mechanism. Since the plate is thus not subjected to forced angular changes, the plate can adapt itself to the inclination of the sack to be beaten. The resilient mounting is such that the rotational or pivotal axes for the swinging support element can be arranged directly in the vicinity of the base plate or supporting plate. This has the advantage that no additional space above the upper end of the impact plate is required for constructional elements. A feature of the construction is that the resilient mounting is such that the base and the building support will be subjected to very insignificant shock action. The arrangement further provides means for mounting the motor for driving the beater such that it will be independently supported and protected from any shock.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved beater construction for bags and sacks which includes means for resiliently mounting the mechanism for effecting a beating action by an oblique plate onto a sack to be filled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heater device which includes a heavy mounting support element which is supported above a building or foundation floor on spaced resilient supporting elements and which carries a double linkage actuating mechanism for moving a beating plate backwardly and forwardly against the side of a sack during the filling thereof and which further includes means for resiliently transmitting the beating force through the associated linkage to the supporting foundation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heating device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a heating device for sacks constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beating mechanism indicated in FIG. 1; n

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the lines III-III of FIG. 1; A

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of another embodiment of beater construction.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a flat base plate 1 which is supported above a flat base frame 45 on a building floor 46 by cross members or resilient support members 44, 44 which permit the resilient swinging movement of the frame member 1 relative to the base frame 45. Heavy counter-balancing means or a support casing 24 is formed on one edge of the base plate 1 and is made of a heavy material, for example concrete, to weigh it down. The casing 24 includes an oblique face 24a provided at its upper end with spaced bearing support members 25, 25 which rotationally support end pins or shaft elements 3 and 4, respectively, which are eccentrically connected to a central shaft or shaft membet 5.

In accordance with the invention, an actuating rod 6 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 5 through a bearing portion 7. The outer end of the rod 6 is secured to a shaft piece 8 (see FIG. 3) by resilient connecting means which includes a rubber bushing 10 having a metal in ner sleeve 27 and outer sleeve 28 separated by a rubber element 10a.

The outer ends of the shaft piece 8 are pivotally supported by respective link members 11, 11 through resilient bushings 30 formed by spaced sleeves 31 and 32 in a central resilient or elastic member 30a (FIG. 3). A beater impact plate 9 is secured to spaced support plates 34 and 34a which are held in position around each end of the elastic bushing 10 by means of spacer sleeve members 37 and 37' which are disposed interiorly of the respective outer bushings 31], 30. The support plate 34 is secured in an adjusted position by means of screws or bolt members 35 which are threaded into end plates 36 which bear against the outer ends of the resilient bushings 30.

The links 11 which carry the bushings 30 at their upper ends are pivotally supported on pivot shafts or pivot members 43 by means of rubber bushings generally designated 40 which are of a construction similar to bushings 30.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a motor (for example a motor having a brake to permit instant stopping thereof) 51 for driving the shaft elements 3 and 4 is separately mounted on a substantially vertically disposed plate or bracket 49 which is secured on the base frame 45. The motor 51 drives a pulley 52 to rotate a pulley 54 through a V-belt 53. Rotation of the shaft elements 3 and 4 causes the crank-like movement of the eccentric shaft member 5 and the oscillatory movement of the beater plate 9. The sack 12 which is to K be beaten during the filling operation is mounted on a bell member or securing means 14 at the lower end of a hopper 70. The rod 6 transmits the thrust movement of the plate 9 to the bag or sack 12 upon the eccentric rotation of the member 5. The shaft 8 is guided by means of the links 11 which swing about the pivot point 43 so that the shaft element 8 and the beater plate 9 move essentially backwardly and forwardly to beat the sack 12. The impact of the beater plate 9 against the sack pushes the sack away since it is clamped on its upper end on the bell member 14. The next beating then rapidly follows while the sack 12 is permitted to oscillate backwardly by the action of the gravity. Because of the oblique positioning of the plate 9 the sack is initially positioned outwardly from is natural position in respect to the center of gravity,

The angular movement of the links 11 about the pivot 43 are absorbed by the rubber bushings 40. The angular movement of the rods 6 relative to the shaft piece 8 and the plate 9, respectively, caused by the vertical component of the movement of the shaft piece 5 is absorbed by the rubber bushings 10. The shaft piece 8 performs the same angular movements as the plate 9. Angular changes between the shaft piece 8 and the links 11 will occur for the following three reasons:

(1) Because of the angular movement of the links 11 about the pivot point 43;

(2.) Because of the adoption of the impact plate inclination to the inclination of the sack; and

(3) Because of the secondary movement of the impact plate 9 by its beating movement.

The above-indicated angular changes of the shaft piece 8 and its rotation relative to the links 11 are absorbed at the rubber bushings 30. The setting or adjustment of the rest position of the beater plate 9 can be effected after loosening screw 35. After the beater plate 9 is properly oriented, the screws are tightened to securely hold the support plates 34 in an adjusted position.

The swing metal elements 44 prevent the transmission of shock of the beater arrangement into the building or ground 46. Because of the heavy load of the loading means 24, any tendency for the base plate 1 to receive impact deflections due to the action of the beater plate 9 will be minimized. In this manner the beater arrangement will run smoothly without shocks relative to the building or the ground 46. It has been found to be advantageous to run the device so that 500 to 2000 beatings per minute with strokes of from 5 to 30 mm. may take place. A particularly favorable embodiment of the invention operates with a frequency of 1000 beatings per minute with a stroke of 20 mm.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a beater plate 9' is carried on the shaft 8' by means of bushings 57 carried at the outer end of respective space members 60, 60. The embodiment is the same as the other embodiment with the exception of the sleeve members 37a which are relatively short for properly spacing the bushings 57 in respect to the bushings 10' and 30. With this construction the impact plate is capable of adapting itself in orientation to the sack in a still better fashion. Instead of the links 11, elastic support elements 11 are employed which are in the form of elastic tubes or rods which are clamped into the supporting brackets or consoles 42 through the bushings 40, for example.

In the third embodiment indicated in FIG. 5, the base plate means includes a base plate member mounted directly on the ground or building 46' generally designated 15. The member 15 includes an upright portion or thrust joint carrier 16 and includes large weight or counterbalancing means 24'. Shaft elements 3' and 4' are mounted for rotation on the counter-balancing means 24' as in the other embodiment in order to provide means for oscillating the rod member 6" which is pivotally connected to the beater member 19. In this embodiment, the beater member 19 is of substantially U-shaped configuration and includes inner inwardly turned ends 18 having guide bearings 18' which are guided on rod members 17 held between portions of the carrier 16. Compression springs 20 are arranged on both sides of the bearing guides 18 around the rods 17 and provide means for resiliently balancing the beater member 19 during its beating movement. The springs 20 and 20 may be alternately loaded and unloaded due to the eccentric movement effected by the rotation of the eccentric shaft member 5. The springs 20 are anchored on a safety abutment or formation 21 of the joint carrier 16. They provide the basic support for the beater plate 19. For this reason there must be suflicient play in respect to the guiding member 18' to permit the necessary movement of the beater plate 19 during the operation thereof. In both embodiments the beater plate 19 acts on the sack 12 or 12' over substantially the entire length thereof.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without depart ing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A beater device for facilitating the filling of sacks which are supported at their tops in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly and swing freely, comprising a beater plate, a substantially horizontally disposed rod member, a substantially vertically disposed pivot link, foundation means, means resiliently supporting said pivot link and said rod member for pivotal movement on said foundation means, resilient bushing means pivotally connecting said rod member and said pivot link to said beating plate and for resiliently holding said plate in an adjustable oblique orientation, and means connected to said rod member to oscillate said rod member to move said beating plate, as it is held obliquely, toward and away from said sack to beat the sack as it is being filled.

2. A beater device according to claim 1, wherein said foundation means includes a base plate, and a plurality of resilient support elements supporting said base plate at spaced locations.

3. A beater device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient bushing means includes a cross shaft member, and wherein there is a vertical pivotal link connecting each end of said shaft member and pivotally supported adjacent their respective opposite ends on said foundation means, and an annular resilient bushing member supporting said pivotal links on said foundation means including inner and outer sleeve elements and a central resilient element between said sleeve elements.

4. A beater device according to claim 3, wherein said links are resiliently connected to said cross shaft member by elastic rubber bushings.

5. A beater device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient bushing means includes a cross shaft member pivotally connected to said rod member, and wherein said pivot link includes first and second pivotal link members connected to each end of said cross shaft member, said pivotal link members being pivotally mounted at their respective opposite ends on their foundation means, said pivotal connections of said link members to said cross shaft member comprising elastic bushings.

'6. A beater device according to claim 5, including at least two spaced support members connected to said beater plate and resilient supporting bushings formed at the outer end of said support members and resiliently holding said support members on said cross shaft member on each side of said rod member.

7. A beater device according to claim 1, wherein said means to oscillate said rod includes a motor, means connected to said motor from said rod member for moving said rod member to oscillate said rod member at a selected running time characteristic of the respective sack to be beaten.

8. A beater device according to claim 1, wherein said beater plate is moved at a rate to effect 500 beatings per minute and the stroke is smaller than 30 mm.

9. A beater device according to claim 1, wherein said beater plate effects 1000 beatings per minute at a stroke of 20 mm.

10. A beater device for use during or after filling of sacks which are supported at their tops from a filling device in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly, comprising a beater plate, guide means supporting said beater plate obliquely and permitting its to and fro movement in respect to the sack for beating the sack from the side and displacing the center of gravity of the sack from its free hanging position, said guide means including means resiliently supporting said plate in an adjustable oblique orientation and at least one rod pivotally connected to said plate adjacent its one end, and crank means connected to the opposite end of said rod to move it and said plate to and fro.

11. A beater device according to claim 10, wherein said means resiliently supporting said plate comprises a resilient bushing connected between said rod and said plate.

12. A beater device for facilitating the filling of sacks which are supported at their tops from a filling station in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly and swing freely, comprising a beater plate, a substantially horizontally disposed rod member, a substantially vertically disposed pivot link, foundation means, means resiliently supporting said pivot link and said rod member for pivotal movement on said foundation means, resilient bushing means for pivotally connecting said rod member and said pivot link to said beating plate and for resiliently holding said plate obliquely to the vertical, means connected to said rod member to oscillate said rod member to move said beating plate toward and away from said sack to beat the sack as it is being filled, said resilient bushing means including a cross shaft member pivotally connected to said rod member, said pivot link comprising first and second pivotal link members connected to each end of said cross shaft member, said pivotal link members being pivotally mounted at their respective opposite ends on their foundation means, said pivotal connections of said link members to said cross shaft member comprising elastic bushings, including a support plate secured to said beater plate and carried by said cross shaft member, and means for clamping said support plate to said cross shaft member at a selected position and orientation.

13. A beater device according to claim 12, including spacer sleeves arranged on each side of said support plate and around said cross shaft member, and said clamping means including a bolt means at each end of said cross shaft member for tightening said spacer sleeves on each side of said support plates.

14. A beater device for facilitating the filling of sacks which are supported at their tops in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly and swing freely, comprising a heater plate, a substantially horizontally disposed rod member, a substantially vertically disposed pivot link, foundation means, means resiliently supporting said pivot link and said rod member for pivotal movement on said foundation means, resilient bushing means pivotally connecting said rod member and said pivot link to said beating plate and for resiliently holding said plate obliquely to the vertical, and means connected to said rod member to oscillate said rod member to move said beating plate, as it is held obliquely, toward and away from said sack to beat the sack as it is being filled, said foundation means including a base plate, and upstanding heavy casing extending upwardly from one side of said base plate, said casing having an oblique upper wall forming a supporting foundation for mounting said rod member for oscillatable movement.

15. A beater device for facilitating the filling of sacks which are supported at their tops in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly and swing freely, comprising a beater plate, a substantially horizontally disposed rod member, a substantially vertically disposed pivot link, foundation means, means resiliently supporting said pivot link and said rod member for pivotal movement on said foundation means, resilient bushing means pivotally connecting said rod member and said pivot link to said beating plate and for resiliently holding said plate obliquely to the vertical, and means connected to said rod member to oscillate said rod member to move said beating plate, as it is held obliquely, toward and away from said sack to beat the sack as it is being filled, said resilient bushing means including means holding said beating plate in a manner permitting angular adjustment of said beating plate.

16. A beater device for use during or after filling of sacks which are supported at their tops from a filling device in a manner permitting the sack to hang downwardly, comprising an obliquely disposed beater plate arranged for beating the sacks from the side and for displacing, during its stroke, the center of gravity of the sacks from their free hanging position, guiding means for the beating plate permitting to and fro movement while said plate is maintained in its oblique position to cause said beating plate to beat against the sack, and resilient 8 means located at the beater plate and connecting the FOREIGN PATENTS beating plate and said guiding means for holding said 466 043 6/1950 Canada beating plate in an adjustable oblique orientation and 466875 7/1950 Canada permitting resilient movement of said plate at said re- 69746 11/1892 German's,- s1l1ent means upon impact W1th the sack. a 945617 7/1956 Germany References Cited LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS EDWARD J. EARLS, Assistant Examiner 2,144,046 1/1939 Cundall 259 54 2,850,185 9/1958 Erickson et a1. 259 72 X 10 Us. (:1. X.R. 3,344,579 10/1967 Gentry et al. 259-72 X 259-72 2,533,157 12/1950 Williams 141-77 X 

